Mjini Magharibi lifted the 2013 Copa Coca-Cola champions trophy when they dismissed fancied Ilala 1-0 in the final match of the Under- 15 tournament held at the Karume Memorial Stadium in Dar es Salaam over the weekend.

The lone goal was scored in the 72nd minute by Mjini Magharibi’s fast racing striker Juma Ali Yusuf dubbed ‘goal making machine’ and it did not come as a surprise when he emerged the tournament’s best scorer. Yusuf negotiated his way through a bush of Ilala defenders to slot the ball home.

Throughout the first half, Ilala players put up a stiff challenge making it hard for the spectators to predict which side would emerge victorious at the end of the game.

After receiving instructions from their coach, Mjini Magharibi, who have now won the Copa Coca-Cola trophy twice, started the second half vigorously pinning their opponents to their territory before Yusuf found the back of the net.

The goal evoked excitement and celebration from Mjini Magharibi supporters and fans. In the girls’ category, Mwanza beat Ilala 1-0 in a post-match penalty shootout after the two teams wrestled to a goalless draw in the regulation 90 minutes.

Speaking at the closing ceremony where the winners received medals, trophies and dummy cheques, the Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Ummy Mwalimu described sports as a source of entertainment and active lifestyle among the youth.

He said the government appreciates efforts being made by Coca-Cola Tanzania to support sports development. On his part, Coca-Cola Country Manager Yebeltal Getachew re-emphasized his company’s commitment to continue investing in the U-15 tournament which from this year has also incorporated girls.

The Copa Coca-Cola football tournament is played annually throughout Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar starting from the grassroots to the national level.

To further encourage and develop talents of players, Coca-Cola has been sending selected Copa Coca-Cola stars to annual international camps where they get an opportunity to be trained by professional coaches thus gaining more skills and experience. This year’s programme is taking place is South Africa and Tanzania is represented.